A student and Bath Spa University and her mother from Stourport-on-Severn in Worcestershire have launched their debut children’s book titled Odd Job Frog.
Zoe Cookson, 41, wrote the story and her mother, Colleen Cookson, 69, illustrated the book which features a frog who wants to visit the exciting sights of London.
The pair came up with the idea over Christmas lunch when they were pulling crackers and their book is now widely stocked in bookshops across the country, and available in all major online book stores, as well as from websites across the world.
Zoe wrote the book whilst studying for an MA in Writing For Young People at Bath Spa University – she had always wanted to write children’s books was inspired by characters that her mother had drawn when she was little.
Retired primary school headteacher Colleen, who has over 20 years teaching experience, originally trained as an artist but didn’t revisit her craft for over 30 years when persuaded to do so by her daughter.
After working in local government management for many years Zoe took the brave decision to pursue her dreams of writing a children’s book.
She enrolled on the prestigious MA Writing For Young People course at Bath Spa University which has seen a host of acclaimed authors pass through its doors including Sally Nicholls with her book Ways to Live Forever which won the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year Award and Clare Furniss who won a number of prizes for her novel The Year of the Rat, including the Branford Boase and the 2015 Crystal Kite Awards.
Zoe said: “I am delighted that after so many years of dreaming we are finally in position to launch our first children’s book – Odd Job Frog.
“It’s been such a pleasure to work with my mum on this story and we are both thrilled to see the first copies appearing on bookshelves, and even in the window display of several independent bookshops in central London.
“It was also exciting to find out the book is available to buy in places as far away as Japan and Australia.
“Entering the competitive world of children’s publishing was a daunting experience but my MA at Bath Spa gave me the confidence I needed to take the leap.”
The MA Writing For Young People course at Bath Spa University is taught by published children’s writers, including Professor of Creative Writing David Almond who has an outstanding international reputation in the children’s literature world.
The course has visiting speakers from the children’s publishing industry and rigorous, supportive workshops are at the heart of the MA.
An exciting and entertaining story with an unexpected twist, Odd Job Frog is suitable for children aged three to seven.
With full-colour illustrations the book is suitable as a bedtime story and for older children to read themselves.
The book makes a perfect gift or souvenir of a trip to London or the United Kingdom, and is both entertaining and educational.
Odd Job Frog is available in bookshops and from reputable book sellers online.